Business Plan2020 2021

Annual Report2019 2020&

Contents

3 Chairman’s Foreword

4 Spotlight on: Boost, Business Relationship Management Service

7 Spotlight on: Local Authority heritage & conservation service

9 Spotlight on: Heritage consultancy

11 Spotlight on: Ongoing diversification of company services

12 Timeline

13 Mission, Vision, Values

14 Resources

15 Governance

Pendle’s Panopticon’Atom’, Wycoller Country Park

Courtesy of Marketing Lancashire

Cover photo: Lancaster Castle

Courtesy of Marketing Lancashire2

Chairman’s Foreword

Undoubtedly there has been considerable change over the years , and none more so than that brought about by the recent Coronavirus pandemic. However, a key strength of the company has always been its ability to be agile, adapting to meet the changing needs of its partners, and changes to the wider environment within which the company operates.

This guiding principle has never been as relevant, and during the last year and throughout the Coronavirus lockdown, the company has focussed on building new relationships, scoping and implementing new services, whilst successfully delivering existing contracts. This approach will carry on throughout 2020-21 and beyond, but at the heart of the company is our focus on delivery – getting things done.

2019 marked the company’s 15th year as a vehicle for partnership working.

Our role as a partner within Boost, Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub, continues to go from strength to strength. Having been re-procured by Lancashire County Council, we have successfully delivered year 1 of our new Business Relationship Management contract. In 2019, we exceeded our contractual targets, creating meaningful relationships with more than 450 Lancashire-based SMEs, and introducing them to more than 60 different sources of support.

As an honest-broker, 95% of service users have been satisfied with the support we gave, and said that they would recommend the service to someone they know. We look forward to the next year, where on behalf of Boost, we will support at least a further 500 businesses across the County, in addition to continued engagement with those we helped during the last 12 months.

Chairman, Growth Lancashire Ltd.

Chairman and Managing Director, Barnfield Construction Ltd.

Away from Boost, the company’s role in caring for and developing heritage has gained significant momentum. In the public sector, we are providing a flexible resource to meet the demands of a growing number of Local Authority partners concerning heritage and conservation; and in the private sector, we have been appointed as a heritage consultant on a range of exciting schemes.

Our work in the heritage sector has provided a solid foundation on which to explore how we can create value across a broader “specialist services” remit. As we look forward to the next 12 months, we are pleased to be delivering new demand-led activity in both the public and private sectors. We will continue to explore how the company as a whole can be best utilised to support Lancashire’s economic recovery and the need to “build back better” following the Coronavirus pandemic.

Tim Webber MBE 3

Boost, Business Relationship Management ServiceSPOTLIGHT ON:

Boost overview: Growth Hubs are local public/private sector partnerships. In Lancashire, the Growth Hub (branded Boost Business Lancashire) has been backed by funding from the European Regional Development Fund and Lancashire County Council, and is led by the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership. Through Boost, Lancashire businesses from start-ups to SMEs (less than 250 employees) can get access to a number of funded programmes in areas such as mentoring, scaling up, innovation, international trade, leadership development, and accessing finance.

Growth Lancashire’s role: Growth Lancashire has been working with Boost since its inception in 2012 and has been competitively procured to provide a Business Relationship Management service for 2019-21.

As Boost’s honest broker, the Business Relationship Management initiative is a professional and impartial service delivered by experienced business people. Day-in-day-out, we focus on helping Lancashire’s businesses by matching them to the right support services and building long-term and meaningful relationships.

During the last year, we have worked with more than 450 of Lancashire’s SMEs, introducing them to over 60 different sources of support across more than 30 partner organisations, including Lancashire’s Universities, Chambers of Commerce and Access to Finance specialists. The support does not end there though. We stay in regular contact to ensure that a company’s plans remain on track and that the business receives ongoing support via its relationship with Boost.

Our Boost activity in 2019: 10 Experienced Business Relationship

Managers used in delivery

451 Businesses supported

1,231 Introductions made by Relationship Managers

31 Partner organisations worked with

63 Support products referred to

95% Businesses satisfied with the service

95% Businesses who would recommend the service to others

Activity for 2020/21: Key Performance Indicators (contractual, and subject to change in light of Covid19)

525 Businesses supported

68 Businesses which are new to Boost

262 Referrals to the Boost programmes of start-up, mentoring or bespoke support

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Our Boost priorities for 2020/21We will continue to:

• Increase the value of the service to businesses, including our relationships with both new and existing Boost clients, and continue to play a leading role in the Growth Hub’s responses to the Coronavirus pandemic - #AskForHelp #BoostYourRecovery

• Increase the profile of the service and maximise engagement with the Lancashire business community

• Build great relationships with other Boost delivery partners and wider provision, positioning the service as the honest broker between demand and supply

• Shape the behaviour/approaches/skills of the whole team to maximise performance

• Achieve contracted outputs Danny Ambler, Fuse Contract FurnitureDuring the year, Growth Lancashire worked with Fuse Contract Furniture as part of its delivery of the Boost Business Relationship Management service. Read their case study overleaf

Boost, Business Relationship Management ServiceSPOTLIGHT ON:

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ABOUT: located in Blackburn, the company manufactures bespoke furniture and fittings. It was established in 2013 and began targeting the hotel and leisure industry, securing clients including Hoxton, Hilton Hotels, IHG and Luxury Lodge Estates. On engaging with Boost, current turnover was £2.2m and the firm employed 28 members of staff.

BOOST SUPPORT: in early 2019, the firm was matched with Ian Cooke, one of Boost’s Business Relationship Managers, employed by Growth Lancashire. Meeting with the business for a robust #growthconversation, Ian, an experienced campaigner in the manufacturing sector, was able to broker support aimed at unlocking current barriers to growth. This included the need to improve production processes and efficiency, invest in employee development and reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

A number of opportunities were identified, and with ongoing support from Boost, the firm continues to receive and seek support from a range of partners, including:

• Boost Bespoke Programme• Chamber of Commerce Low Carbon

programme• Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

- Assistance to Industry scheme • Specialist manufacturing support

via Made Smarter and the Lancashire Manufacturing Growth Fund

OUTCOMES: Like many businesses, the company has been negatively affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. However, commenting on their involvement with Boost, Danny Ambler, Director of Fuse Contract Furniture said: “the support really encouraged us to take a step back from the business and focus on strategy and growth. The planning tools provided are limitless in their scope to help us grow the business and the information on grant funding and links to helpful business contacts is fantastic.”

On behalf of Boost, Growth Lancashire held a Lancashire Day celebration event, attended by the County’s network of business support providers

Boost Business Relationship Management:CASE STUDY

Fuse Contract Furniture

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Local Authority heritage & conservation serviceSPOTLIGHT ON:

Overview: The company has a long history of providing a range of services for Local Authorities, with a notable specialism in heritage and conservation, and supporting a Council’s Planning function.

Growth Lancashire’s role: Councils are able to draw upon the company’s capacity and expertise on a flexible basis. Demand-led activities which the company has undertaken during the last year on behalf of Local Authority partners has included:

• Advice on pre-application enquiries (sites affecting heritage)

• Advice on applications for listed building consent, or planning developments affecting conservation areas and other heritage assets

• Advice on Council-owned heritage assets and projects involving heriatge

• Local Plan advice regarding heritage/conservation

• Updating Heritage at Risk records

Resource constraints often pose Local Authorities challenges with regards to caring for and developing the area’s heritage assets. Additional activity which the company is able to offer includes a cost-effective resource for:

• Updating Conservation area reviews/appraisals

• Producing and/or maintaining /reviewing a Local List of heritage assets

• Undertaking and maintaining a Buildings at Risk survey

• Input into heritage schemes, such as Historic England’s Heritage Action Zones

• Heritage surgeries/training for staff

Achievements in 2019: 3 New Local Authority Service Level

Agreements established (Preston, South Ribble and Chorley Councils)

1 Existing Local Authority Service Level Agreement renewed (Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council)

137 Number of developments which Growth Lancashire has provided advice to Local Authorities on

Our priorities for 2020/21We will continue to:

• Build relationships with all Lancashire’s Local Authorities, and support Local Authorities within the wider region as necessary

• Recruit additional resource to support the growth of the service, including creating opportunities for newly qualified heritage and conservation professionals

• Engage with key stakeholders, notably Historic England, the Institute of Historic Building Conservation and the National Lottery Heritage Fund

• Work with skills providers, including Universities, to support capacity building in the sector

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During 2019, Growth Lancashire began to provide Preston City Council with heritage and conservation services. Principally, the arrangement between the two organisations is to support the Council’s Development Management team. As part of the ongoing service, and on behalf of the Council, Growth Lancashire was asked to provide advice on a Planning Application (Listed Building Consent) for Bank Hall Farm, located in Broughton, Preston.

The Heritage Statement submitted by the Applicant to support the Listed Building Consent observes that the building’s heritage significance is high and warrants its listing at grade II. The property dates in part from the early/mid-17th century, with a number of phases of development, as tastes and fashion dictated.

The advisory role provided by Growth Lancashire gave the Council the information and confidence it required in order to grant approval for works to a residential dwelling which had been unoccupied for a number of years, and had fallen into a state of disrepair. The approval allows the owners to fully rehabilitate the building and provide the benefits that will accrue from the premises once again becoming occupied.

Richmond Terrace, BlackburnAdditional Local Authorities utilising Growth Lancashire’s heritage and conservation service includes Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. During the year, the company advised on a development to the Grade II listed Richmond Terrace

Local Authority Heritage and Conservation:CASE STUDY

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Heritage consultancy in the private sectorSPOTLIGHT ON:

Overview: Lancashire is rich in heritage. Across the County, there are more than 5,500 listed buildings, including 78 which are Grade I listed. Grade I buildings are of exceptional interest, with only 2.5% of listed buildings being designated as Grade I on a national footprint. In comparison to other areas in the North, Lancashire has more listed buildings overall than both Greater Manchester (3,884), and the Liverpool City Region (3,198).

Within Lancashire, many of its listed buildings are in-use, providing a varied and sustainable mix of workspace, residential, educational and leisure premises. More broadly, Heritage is recognised as making an important contribution to economic prosperity and growth through jobs in the heritage and construction sectors, and from tourism. The heritage sector produces a total GVA of £31 billion in England, providing over 464,000 jobs (Heritage and the Economy 2019, Historic England), however it is acknowledged that the recent Coronavirus pandemic may significantly affect the future prospects of the sector.

Growth Lancashire’s role: Growth Lancashire has a key role in caring for and developing heritage assets.

Appointed by building owners, developers, construction firms and other professional services, the company has during the last year, provided a range of heritage-led services including:

• Development advice, including liaison/mediation with Local Authority planning teams

• Heritage Statements (historical research)• Heritage Impact Assessments • Preparation of applications for Listed Building

Consent

Achievements in 2019: 4 Schemes appointed to as Heritage

Consultant by private clients

325% Year on year increase in service income

Our priorities for 2020/21We will continue to:

• Raise the profile of heritage’s contribution to and its role within the Lancashire economy

• Increase the marketing of Growth Lancashire’s services amongst prospective clients

• Build trusted relationships with key stakeholders within the Lancashire property /development sector

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In Burnley, there are 288 listed buildings, accounting for 5% of all designated heritage assets within Lancashire as a whole. This includes the Grade II listed Yorke House. Situated next to Burnley Mechanics and the Town Hall near to the junction of Yorke Street and Manchester Road, the premises are located on one of the busiest routes into the town centre.

Previous approval had been granted to convert part of the first floor and the second floor from offices to an educational training use.

The Applicant enlisted the services of Growth Lancashire to help liaise with the Council over a problem with the timber sliding sash windows at the property. This was causing delay and potentially putting the internal re-use and investment in the property at risk.

Growth Lancashire’s role focussed on understanding the issues and helping to find a solution which would unblock the current impasse. The outcome was that the work has now been completed and the new tenants have occupied the building.

“I was pleased to be introduced to Growth Lancashire to assist with the works at Yorke House. The project had stalled and plans to refurbish and let the premises to a new tenant were at risk. Growth Lancashire acted quickly, agreeing a concise and practical way forward. Without their input, we would not have achieved such a positive outcome in the timescales. I have since recommended their services to other business contacts.” Jimmy Pilling, owner/developer

Elsewhere in Burnley, Growth Lancashire was asked to advise private owners on potential works to refurbish and extend a residential Listed Building, which had been unoccupied. The company’s Lead for Specialist Services provided guidance on a range of issues including changing windows, internal alterations and a possible future extension to the rear of the property. The owners also enquired about any attempt to get the building de-listed.

Through the provision of impartial and specialist advice, Growth Lancashire was able to help the owners clarify important matters and give them the information which would help them make the right decisions moving forwards.

“We found your advice helpful, and it also saved us wasting our time and money on trying to get the property de-listed.” Mr and Mrs Beneduce, Burnley

Yorke HouseDuring the year, Growth Lancashire provided development advice to the owner of the Grade II listed Yorke House, Burnley

Heritage consultancy:CASE STUDY

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Ongoing diversification of company servicesSPOTLIGHT ON:

Overview: In 2019, the Growth Lancashire Board initiated a scoping exercise, aimed at further diversifying the activities of the company and ensuring that the organisation as a whole plays a full part in the delivery of Lancashire’s economic ambitions.

We continue to acknowledge that offering a broader set of demand-led services is an important part of increasing the company’s value to both its Local Authority partners, and increasing the potential of the company to also deliver activity in the private sector.

New service delivery for 2020/21: Pan-Lancashire role:As an existing vehicle for partnership working across Lancashire, the company is well placed to provide an enhanced role, particularly in regard to the actions and activities which will be needed in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Subject to future discussions with the Board, and other stakeholders, notably the LEP, activities could include building capacity for:

• Additional business engagement/support• Inward investment, such as account managing

enquiries• Supporting Lancashire’s climate change ambitions

Tree Service:We understand that trees play an important role in making an attractive environment in which to live, work and spend our leisure time. We have implemented a Tree Service within our growing portfolio of specialist services to sit alongside our existing role covering heritage and conservation.

For Local Authorities, Growth Lancashire can:• Support Development Management Teams by

advising on and dealing with arboricultural matters relating to planning applications, Tree Preservation Orders, works to trees in Conservation Areas and hedgerows

• Support Environment Teams by advising on effective Tree Risk Management, and carrying out on-site surveys and inspections in order to ensure public/tree safety

For the private sector, Growth Lancashire can:

• Undertake tree surveys and provide advice on planning proposals affecting trees and woodland

• Help land, property and tree owners obtain the necessary permissions in order to undertake any works to important or protected trees

• Provide advice to meet an owner’s responsibility in relation to the health and safety of trees

• Help to identify the best and most cost effective way of managing trees

Planning consultancy: Successfully navigating the Local Authority planning application process for the development of land or buildings is often viewed as a challenging prospect.

Alongside formal pre-application advice from any of Lancashire’s local planning authorities, or enlisting the services of one of the County’s many well-established planning consultants, Growth Lancashire’s qualified planners can:

• Advise on proposed development• Provide support at pre-application meetings

with the Local Authority• Provide additional liaison/mediation with the

Local Authority• Help to prepare planning applications/

statements

This may be particularly relevant to smaller scale developments, or specialist developments, such as proposals affecting historic buildings.

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2007

Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) - c£30m

Labour Government announce Housing Market Renewal Initiative

2011

HMR and LEGI Programmes ended

Lancashire Innovation Network (ERDF) - £3.6m and Pennine LEAP - £1.6m

Abolition of Regional Development Agencies

Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP)formed

2004

Company established – Elevate East Lancashire

Chairman appointed – David Taylor CBE

COMPANY

WIDER CONTEXT

2010

Name changed to Regenerate Pennine Lancashire

New Chairman – Dennis Mendoros OBE

Conservative/Liberal Democrat Coalition Government

Lancashire Growth Hub, Boost Business Lancashire established

Regional Growth Fund R2 - £7.5m

Boost 1 Lancashire LEAP, Growth Sector Support and Growth Hub Gateway Contract - £1.9m

Start-up Lancashire Programme - £3.7m

Name changed to Growth Lancashire and company footprint widened

Chorley Borough Council join the Company

Boost 2 Contract secured £1.8m

Brexit Referendum

East Lancashire and North and Western Lancashire Chambers of Commerce join the Company

Boost 3 contract secured £1m

Strengthened LEPs policy published

New Chairman – Tim Webber MBE

Regional Growth Fund R6 – in partnership with the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce - £8m

Lancashire Strategic Economic Plan

Regional Growth Fund R3 - £1.8m

Regional Growth Fund R4 - £3.0m

Formal partnership with English Heritage

Heritage Lottery Fund Priority status – Pennine Lancashire

2015

Storms ‘Desmond’ and ‘Eva’ flood response helpline & grant coordination

Conservative Government

20172019

Company’s first heritage & conservation SLA signed – Blackburn with Darwen Council

Blackpool, Lancaster and West Lancashire Councils join the Company

Company joins Northern Powerhouse Partnership

National Industrial Strategy Published

Boost 3 contract commenced £1m

SLAs with Preston, South Ribble and Chorley Councils – heritage & conservation

Timeline

Housing Market Renewal Programme (HMR) - c£250m

Transformational Agenda Published

East Lancashire rebrand to Pennine Lancashire

2014

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2012 2013200620022016 2018

2020

Arboricultural activity established within specialist services portfolio

COVID-19 pandemic

Mission, Vision, Values

OU

R VISIO N

is for Lancashire to maximise its potential, capitalising

on its economic strengths and its

built and natural environment

OU

R VALUES

ImpartialCollaborativeHonestHardworking

is to contribute towards

growing productivity, prosperity and places across

Lancashire

OUR MISSIONOUR CAPABILITIES OUR ROLE

Business engagement and support

Heritage, environment and other specialist services

Economic development and regeneration

Research and intelligence

Delivery capacity and expertise for Local Authorities, LEP and other stakeholders

Supporting businesses to grow and simplifying support

Caring for and developing Lancashire’s heritage and environmental assets

Securing and delivering external funding

Promoting Lancashire and encouraging investment

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On behalf of Preston City Council, Growth Lancashire advised on a development relating to the Grade II listed Miller Arcade

ResourcesIncome 2020/21 Estimates

Boost Business Lancashire contract delivery £ 353,000

Local Authority core funding £ 180,000

Specialist services, including heritage and environment £ 167,000

Total £ 700,000

Reserves Estimated balance 31.03.2021

Total £ 191,000

Expenditure 2020/21 Estimates

Staffing £ 585,000

Overheads £ 115,000

Total £ 700,000

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GovernanceEstablished in 2004, Growth Lancashire is a private company limited by guarantee.

Growth Lancashire’s Board of Directors comprises representatives from the private sector and Local Authority Councillors from Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Burnley, Chorley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale, Lancashire, Lancaster and West Lancashire Councils.

The company provides services across the entire County area and it remains the aim of the Board for its governance arrangements to be pan-Lancashire.

Further details and biographies of Growth Lancashire’s board can be found at www.growthlancashire.co.uk

Registered Office: Location: Lancashire County Council, County Hall, Fishergate, Preston, PR1 8XJ

The Globe Centre, St. James Square, Accrington, Lancashire, BB5 0RE

Tim Webber MBE (Barnfield Construction Ltd.)

Cllr Phil Riley (Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council)

Laura Sales (Lancashire County Council)

ChairmanDeputy

ChairmanCompany Secretary

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www.growthlancashire.co.uk

@growthlancsView from Clitheroe Castle

Courtesy of Marketing Lancashire